Building a Strong Foundation: Spotlight on Our Junior Pre-K and Pre-Kindergarten Programs at Big & Tiny 10th Street Preschool

At Big & Tiny 10th Street Preschool, we believe that a strong start makes all the difference in a child’s lifelong educational journey. Our Junior Pre-K (JPK) and Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) programs are designed to equip young learners with the social-emotional and academic skills they need to confidently transition into kindergarten—and beyond.

A Thoughtful Approach to Early Learning

What sets our programs apart is our intentional focus on kindergarten readiness, blending traditional academics with vital social-emotional learning. In both JPK and Pre-K, we create a nurturing environment where children feel safe to explore, express themselves, and grow as learners.

“We provide that educational foundation to give our children the advantage and confidence to enjoy school and feel ready for the next step,” says Keltse, our Founder and Owner. “Our children are not only excited to go off and start kindergarten but feel prepared to do so.”

Junior Pre-K: The First Step Toward Formal Learning

Our Junior Pre-K program is specially designed for Year 2 preschoolers. Held twice a week in 45–55-minute sessions, JPK introduces children to the structure of a formal classroom. They begin developing core academic and social skills in a play-based, encouraging setting.

“JPK is the introduction to the formal classroom setting,” says Teacher Heather. “It’s where children learn how to sit, raise their hands, learn their numbers, alphabet, shapes, and colors, and one-to-one correspondence. This is the first step to ready them for their Pre-K year. We can confidently say by the end of this year, most—if not all—of our students start reading.”

Pre-Kindergarten: Ready for the Next Step

Our Pre-Kindergarten program runs twice a week from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, immersing students in a full day of learning that mirrors the structure of a traditional kindergarten classroom. The curriculum includes Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, Science, and Fine Arts, and is designed to develop confident, independent, and self-motivated learners.

Children receive weekly homework assignments to help them practice responsibility and build habits that will serve them in elementary school. Our Pre-K students also benefit from regular guest visits from authors, artists, and professionals, expanding their awareness of the world and sparking curiosity.

We also emphasize movement between lessons to help students reset and refocus—because we know active bodies help create active minds.

Social-Emotional Learning: Building Confident Communicators

Beyond academics, we aim to foster assertive, empathetic communicators. We support children in learning how to identify and express their needs with both peers and adults.

“One of our goals in our Pre-K program is to foster the child’s ability to communicate what their needs are,” says Keltse. “Being able to develop an assertive voice in a safe space is crucial for navigating a larger and more challenging classroom setting. Feeling comfortable and confident makes asking for help less risky.”

Uniforms That Inspire Pride

In both JPK and Pre-K, children wear uniforms—an experience that helps them feel more connected and confident.

“Children are excited to wear the uniforms,” says Teacher Heather. “It gives them a sense of belonging and pride and readiness for the next step in their educational journey.”

Preparing for the Best Elementary Schools

Our graduates are well-prepared to attend top-tier private and public elementary schools, including Brentwood, Carlthorp, Center for Early Education, Crossroads, Curtis, John Thomas Dye, Mirman, PS#1, Seven Arrows, Village, Westland, Willows, and Wildwood. Every year, we are proud to see our families accepted into their first-choice schools.

From their first steps into the classroom in JPK to confidently completing our Pre-K program, our students begin to see themselves as learners and thinkers. They take pride in their hard work and carry that motivation into their next chapter.

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Ready to Learn More? If you're interested in learning more about our Junior Pre-K and Pre-K programs at Big & Tiny 10th Street Preschool, email us at info@bigandtiny.com or schedule a tour today. Give your child the joyful, confident start they deserve.

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